Chapter Nineteen
Muted conversation from the drawing room greeted Suzanna as she joined the guests for the dinner party Lady Montford had arranged. It had been a last-minute decision to hold the dinner, and ’twas odd that she had planned it on an evening when her parents were attending the theater.
She accepted a small glass of sherry from one of the footmen and joined Lady Montford who was conversing with Lord and Lady Skeffington.
“Ah, Suzanna, don’t you look charming tonight. The blue in that gown brings out the lovely shade of your eyes.” Lord Skeffington smiled and bowed to her as she approached them.
“Yes, you do look wonderful tonight, dear.” Cousin Eunice absolutely glowed with happiness. She was always a rather optimistic sort, but tonight she looked exceptionally sanguine.
“Thank you, my lord, cousin.” Suzanna turned to Lady Skeffington. “Good evening, my lady.”
They chatted for a while, and Cousin Eunice seemed to pay a great deal of attention to the door. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when a footman announced that dinner was served. They all assembled into an informal line and proceeded to the dining room.
While the footmen poured wine, Suzanna chatted with her dinner partner to her left. Mr. Baxter was an elderly gentleman, well versed in various subjects, which always placed him at the top of most hostesses’ lists. She appreciated how he treated her like she had a brain in her head, not as if she were a young lady who could converse about only ribbons, slippers, and balls.
As she raised her glass to take a sip of wine, her attention was gained by a man entering the room. She glanced in the direction of the latecomer. Her heart thudded, and her jaw dropped in a most unladylike manner. All the blood drained from her head, leaving her lightheaded, with dots dancing in her eyes, as Giles bent to Lady Montford. “I am sorry to be late, my lady. Please excuse me.”
“Thank you for coming, Mr. Templeton.”
Suzanna continued to gape as a footman led Giles to a chair only three seats down from her, next to Lady Florentina, who was to the left of Mr. Baxter. Whatever was he doing here? She’d heard nothing from him for weeks, and suddenly he turns up at a dinner, at her house. Suzanna glared at Lady Montford, who regarded her with wide, innocent eyes.
She quelled the urge to dump her glass of wine over the blackguard’s head. Well, she certainly was not going to pay him any mind. He had deserted her without a word, and now he’d reappeared, smiling like some addlepated fool. She huffed to herself. No, no, no. Not at all.
Casting a brilliant smile at Mr. Baxter, she said, “Tell me more about the book you are reading, Mr. Baxter.”
He’d already waxed on about the book, but she would do anything to keep the sound of Giles’s voice from her ears.
She leaned back as a footman placed a bowl of clear broth in front of her. Just as she picked up her spoon, Giles leaned forward and said, “Good evening, Miss Blake.”
Suzanna sucked in a deep breath as the spoon entered her mouth. She cursed Giles as she coughed, trying not to splatter the soup all over herself and the table.
“Are you well, Miss Blake?” Giles stared at her with concern.
Of course I am not well, you ninnyhammer, can’t you see I am choking? ’Tis your fault!
She ignored him and took a sip of water. That seemed to help.
“Excuse me for startling you, Miss Blake.” Giles once again leaned over Lady Florentina and Mr. Baxter.
She gritted her teeth. “Oh, Mr. Templeton. I’m sorry, I didn’t even see you there. You must forgive me.” She then turned her attention to Mr. Baxter. “Your book, sir?”
“Er, yes.” He placed his spoon alongside his place and continued to reiterate everything he’d already said.
“Pardon me, Mr. Baxter.” Giles spoke past Lady Florentina.
Mr. Baxter stopped speaking and turned to Giles. “Yes, Mr. Templeton?”
“Do you mind terribly if we switch seats? I haven’t seen Miss Blake in some time, and I would like to renew our acquaintance.”
Mr. Baxter made to move, when Suzanna clamped her hand on his arm, apparently quite enthusiastically, since he winced. “No need to change seats, Mr. Baxter. There is nothing I need to renew with Mr. Templeton.” She glared at Giles, who smirked.
Her dinner partner looked back and forth between her and Giles, then settled back into his seat once more and lowered his voice. “I assure you, it is no trouble, Miss Blake, if I change seats with Mr. Templeton.”
“That is not necessary, Mr. Baxter.” She raised her voice a bit, not too loud, but enough to reach Giles. “I am sorry he was rude enough to ask.”
Lady Florentina smiled brightly at Suzanna. “Miss Blake, I can change seats with you, if you would like.”
“No!” She cringed when several people turned in her direction. Blast the man, he was causing her to make a cake of herself. She took a deep breath. “Thank you so much for your kindness, my lady, but that is not necessary.” Practically growling out the last few words, she darted what she’d hoped was a killing glance at Giles, who had the audacity to grin at her.
She shifted in her seat and turned to Lord Beaumont on her other side. “How are you enjoying the Season, my lord?”
Apparently having noticed the exchanges between her and Giles, Beaumont looked from her to the wretched man, who certainly was taking a breath only before he annoyed her once again.
“I find the Season quite entertaining. Lady Beaumont and I have had to actually refuse a few invitations in order to enjoy a quiet evening at home.”
Lord and Lady Beaumont had been a love match, and they were notorious for attending the same events each evening, not something that was always done within the ton. How she had wished for that same type of marriage. At one time she thought she would have it, but Mr. Templeton had managed to disabuse her of that notion. Her thoughts must have shown on her face, because Lord Beaumont looked concerned. “Are you well, Miss Blake?”
Good Lord, if this didn’t stop she would have the entire table studying her, waiting for her to either collapse or jump up and run from the room screaming like a banshee. It was time to gain control of herself.
She smiled tightly. “I am quite well, my lord.” She picked up her wine glass. “In fact, I have never been better.”
…
Although Giles presented a calm and amused demeanor at the antics between him and Suzanna, his stomach was in knots. Just seeing her had almost brought him to his knees. He’d missed her so much.
During his tea with Lady Montford he had learned Lord Pemberton had withdrawn his suit at Suzanna’s request. While they’d sipped, ate biscuits, and talked, she’d spoken of how angry Suzanna’s parents had been, but how Mr. Blake now seemed to be more open to Suzanna’s wishes. Lady Montford confirmed that it was, indeed, Mrs. Blake who had insisted on a title for her daughter.
He still was unable to determine what the scene he’d witnessed in the garden had been about. Lady Montford had assured him that Suzanna had been quite distraught when he’d disappeared leaving no word.
No doubt Suzanna was quite angered at his behavior, and it would take quite a bit of groveling to return to her good graces. But return he would.
Earn it, lad.
Giles leaned forward again. “Miss Blake, how do you find the trout?” The lightly buttered and sautéed dish had been placed in front of them while Lady Florentina had engaged him in a conversation about the troubles with her lady’s maid.
God help me.
Suzanna turned toward him. “I found the trout with my fork, Mr. Templeton. If you are having some trouble with that, I suggest you ask one of the footmen to assist you. Perhaps bring more candles if you find your eyesight failing. You are getting up in years.” She tossed her head, the curls alongside her face dancing in the candlelight.
He choked on his wine but could not help enjoying her snipping. Had she no response to his bantering, he would have been concerned. But it was obvious he was annoying her, which was a good thing. He’d rather annoy her than have her apathetic to his presence.
“I find the trout to be quite delicious, Mr. Templeton.” Lady Florentina smiled at him. And then leaned forward to offer a better view of her charms.
Good Lord. Now he had to put up with not only trying to engage Suzanna in conversation but with his dinner partner flirting with him.
“Excellent. I agree, my lady.” He concentrated on his plate, trying to think of another way to gain Suzanna’s attention. It was quite rude of him to be conversing with her when he was supposed to be entertaining the ladies on his right and left sides, though he had requested Lady Montford not place him directly next to Suzanna, lest she stomp off and leave the room when he sat down.
Dishes came and went, and for the most part, he spoke with Lady Florentina on one side and Mrs. Davies on his other, always keeping his ear toward Suzanna. Now that he had stopped trying to gain her attention she seemed to relax more, although he’d caught her glancing in his direction more than once. Studying him, then looking away, pretending indifference when he caught her eye.
His best opportunity to speak with her would be once dinner was over. He had no intention of staying behind with the men to drink port. Anxious for the meal to end, he wasn’t even quite sure what he had eaten. He was too busy thinking of what he could say to win—nay, earn—Suzanna’s regard.
Lady Montford had believed Suzanna’s parents, her father in particular, would be more amenable to his suit, since they had viewed the debacle with Pemberton as a pending scandal. Now he must work to deserve his lady’s love.
Finally, the meal came to an end. Lady Montford stood and invited the ladies to join her in the drawing room for tea while the gentlemen enjoyed their port.
About five minutes after the ladies left, Giles excused himself and headed directly to where the ladies had gathered.
Suzanna sat next to Mrs. Davies, holding a teacup in her hand. She glanced up and put her cup down when he walked up to her. “Mr. Templeton? What are you doing here?”
Mrs. Davies’s eyes snapped open at Suzanna’s words. Blushing slightly, Suzanna offered him a tight smile. “Are you not enjoying port with the other gentlemen, Mr. Templeton?”
“No, Miss Blake.” He extended his hand. “I hoped to take a walk around the room with you.”
She studied him for a minute, then stood and accepted his hand. “Very well. I believe I could use a bit of exercise.”
Her hand was cold. Very cold, even through her gloves. He placed her hand on his sleeve, and with the utmost correctness, led her to the perimeter of the room. He would love to take her to the garden for a stroll, but with it being dark, Lady Montford would never allow such an impropriety.
He would have to state his case without the other ladies—a few of whom had turned their interest toward them—hearing what he had to say. No doubt when he’d disappeared after being so attentive to Suzanna there had been talk. They walked to a corner of the room, the shadows from the candlelight giving them a bit of privacy. “Suzanna, I don’t even know how to begin this conversation.”
“You can begin by calling me Miss Blake, sir.” She raised her chin and continued to stare straight ahead as they walked along. While he tried to think of what to say, she turned to him. “What are you doing here? How did you end up at this dinner party? Why would Lady Montford invite you? And I thought you were in the country.”
She added, “At least, that is where I heard you had gone, since I had no word from you. It was only because I happened to see my cousin and Bedford at a ball that I even knew you had left London.”
He could see she was working herself into a tizzy, and the last thing he wanted to do was make her angry enough to stalk off. This was his chance to save their relationship, and he was not going to fumble it.
“I was wrong, and I should never have run off when I saw you and Pemberton hugging in the garden. Now I suspect things were not as they appeared.”
Her jaw dropped. “You saw us?”
“Yes.”
Suzanna shook her head, tears shimmering in her eyes. “You fool. You stupid, stupid fool.”
…
Suzanna had never considered that her time in the garden with Lord Pemberton had a connection to Giles’s disappearance. Now she recalled that she’d exclaimed how happy Lord Pemberton had made her. It was possible that Giles had misinterpreted her statement.
“Why didn’t you approach us? I was merely thanking Lord Pemberton for agreeing to withdraw his suit. I had tried to tell my parents that I did not want to marry him, but they stood firm. The only chance I had was to explain to Lord Pemberton that there was a reason I did not want to marry him.”
Giles stiffened and turned to her with a tentative, hopeful smile. “And the reason?”
She sniffed. “Never mind. Suffice it to say the reason had been good enough—at the time.” She cast a sideways glance at him. “He agreed to my request. Father accepted it quite well, but Mother was furious. In fact, she took to her bed and refused to accompany me to events for more than a week.”
Giles glanced around as another couple began to circle the room. “We need privacy, Suzanna. There are many things I want—need—to say that I don’t want overheard.”
“Lady Montford will never allow me to go off with you.”
He slowed their steps as they approached two couples conversing. He leaned in close to her ear. “When everyone is abed later, unlock the back door for me. Then light a candle in your bedchamber window, and I will join you.”
Suzanna sucked in a breath. “That is so dangerous! Suppose you get caught? I will be ruined.”
“And forced to marry me,” he said. Then he turned serious. “I do not want you to marry me to avoid a scandal. But we do need time together. I promise I will not be caught.”
“Had a bit of practice sneaking into ladies’ bedchambers, Mr. Templeton?”
“I have never snuck into a lady’s bedchamber before. But I won’t get caught. Trust me.”
“You two look so serious over there. Come join us, we are discussing the new play that just opened on Drury Lane.” Lady Montford beckoned to them from a grouping of men and women sipping tea and eating cakes.
She hadn’t even noticed the rest of the men had joined the women, so intent was she on speaking with Giles. “Yes, certainly, cousin. I am looking forward to seeing the play and would love to know the opinion of those who already have.”
They both joined the group and passed the next hour discussing the new play, Parliament, and the gloomy London weather.
…
Hours later, Suzanna paced in her bedchamber. She’d dismissed Bessie some time ago, and occasionally eased her door opened to listen for voices or other indications any household members were still up and about.
Father and Mother had returned from the theater, and she hadn’t heard anything from their chamber for a while. She would check one more time and then go downstairs and unlock the back door.
She must be truly addlepated to go along with this scheme of Giles. There was no reason why he couldn’t have called on her the next day and spoken with her. Though they did need some time alone to straighten this out, and Mother had begun to watch her carefully once again.
She sighed and padded over to the door. If Giles decided to approach her father again, he must do it soon, before Mother began to negotiate another betrothal. Suzanna had hoped, based on Father’s demeanor when Lord Pemberton had withdrawn his suit, that he might take her side in a conflict with Mother.
But did she want to accept Giles? She’d been rattled when he disappeared, but it seemed he had a good reason. However, was he here in London to offer an actual proposal? Was he prepared to face her father and fight for them?
She confirmed the corridor was empty, and carrying a single candle, made her way down the back stairs, stopping occasionally to listen. The only sound in her ears was the pounding of her heart and her rapid breaths.
With a dry mouth, she approached the back door and unlatched the lock. She hurried back up the stairs, covering the candle with her cupped palm so it would not blow out.
Once she was securely in her room, she walked to the window and hesitated. Giles would be out there, waiting for her signal. She felt both foolish and excited. Taking a deep breath, she placed the lighted candle in the window and stepped back, covering her mouth with her hands.
It seemed like mere minutes had passed when she heard a slight scratch at her door. She flew across the room and opened the door a few inches. When she confirmed it was Giles, she grabbed his hand and pulled him in.
She wrung her hands. “I don’t think this is a good idea. You should go now, and we can speak tomorrow.”
He reached out and placed his warm hands on her face. “No, Suzanna. This conversation is long overdue. I have quite a bit to say, and the time is right.” He bent his head toward her and placed his warm, moist lips on hers.
She jumped back like a scared rabbit, and he chuckled softly. “All right. Let’s move to the settee near the window and talk.” He took her hand and led her to the window where they sat, facing each other.
He took both of her cold hands in his warm ones and looked directly at her. “The time has come to end the games. And the wager.”
Suzanna started. Was he calling off the wager, after all?
“What do you mean?”
Giles slid off the settee, resting on one knee. “I am deeply in love with you. I want, more than anything, to make you my wife. It took me this time away from you to realize I need you like I need food and water. I need your love, and I need you in my life. What I feel for you is no passing fancy. It is forever.
“I know your parents will most likely not approve, but if I have your consent, I swear I will overcome any and all objections. I will work to earn your love and your parents’ approval.” He kissed the backs of her hands. “Will you make me the happiest man in England, and marry me, Miss Blake?”